Karachi—The State Bank of Pakistan has
attributed the adverse domestic and
international developments for driving a broad
deterioration in key macroeconomic indicators.
In the third quarterly report issued on
Saturday, the Central Bank revealed that the
real GDP growth in FY 2007-08 is expected to
drop below 6 percent level for the first time in
five years. The State Bank foresees that the
annual inflation is poised to return to double
digits, the fiscal deficit is forecast to rise
substantially and the annual current account
deficit, as a percentage of GDP, is projected to
be at an all-time high. The report shows that
the economy remained worst in the past five
years.
Sukkur—The Chief Justice of
Pakistan (CJP) Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar
Saturday inaugurated the District Court Complex
Khairpur and also laid foundation stone of
District Court Bar room and District Court Bar
Library under Access to Justice program.
Islamabad—The Constitutional Package has been
finalized and submitted to all the coalition
parties for seeking their views before it is
introduced in the Parliament. According to the
Law Ministry, the Co-Chairman Pakistan People’s
Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari has given approval
to the package after incorporation of certain
last minute changes.
Lahore—The by-poll bids of Sharif brothers have
once again seen split judgment by the Lahore
High Court’s election tribunal on Saturday.
Following a split decision over the appeals
against Sharif brothers’ nominations by the two
judges’ election tribunal the case was sent back
to the chief election commissioner to decide the
matter. Justice Akram Qureshi, a member of
the tribunal, in his verdict said the nomination
papers of Sharif brothers were wrongfully
accepted declaring them ineligible to contest
the elections.
Lahore—Parliament is the supreme institution and
it will sort out all matters including the issue
concerning the President, Prime Minister Syed
Yousuf Raza Gilani said. Talking to newspersons
at the old airport here on Saturday Gilani said
that PPP government would not go on a solo
flight and take all its coalition partners along
while deciding about major issues.
Peshawar—Deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan
Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary was given a rousing
welcome when he reached here to address the
lawyers’ convention on Saturday. The lawyers
raised welcome slogans and a big show of fire
works was presented to the deposed CJP. The NWFP
government had made tight security arrangements.
Iftikhar Chaudhary after reaching Peshawar
administered oath of office to the
office-bearers of the bars of Peshawar and
Mardan.
Islamabad—Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani
Saturday dispelled impression that his
government was not clear on the issue of judges’
reinstatement and emphatically stated that the
issue will be resolved after consensus is
developed with coalition partners on legal
matters. He told media that “Our intention is
very clear on the issue, however we are cautious
not to get into another crisis in an attempt to
resolve the present one, adding that he was two
hundred percent sure that the issue will be
resolved by us” .
Islamabad—Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday took a
strict note of the telephonic contact between
the US President George W Bush and President
Pervez Musharraf terming it as open interference
in the internal political affairs of Pakistan.
Jamaat urged the ruling coalition of Pakistan
People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz
and other allies to take notice of this
intrusion.
Singapore—Defence ties
between Pakistan and the United States will
remain strong through the next administration
despite tough talk from US presidential
candidates looking to review the relationship, a
top Pakistan military official said on Saturday.
Tariq Majeed, Chairman of Pakistan’s joint
chiefs of staff committee, told newsmen on the
sidelines of a security conference that the
common goal of fighting terrorism will be the
basis of the relationship between the two
countries.
